Thursday, November 20, 2008

Mike had a great laugh. I have many memories of Mike... Sometime in the last 2 years I was visiting Chicago, walking down Belmont by Sheffield and there he was in traffic in his hot little car so I ran into the street and we exchanged hugs and chatted until people started beeping. We loved the randomness of us bumping into each other like that. Another more recent memory is showing up to St Michael's with Anne and Mike was there chairing the meeting. That was another random meeting but every time I would visit Chicago it felt like I would see him. He was also really there when I was getting sober. I remember his house warming party and how excited he was to give this gift to his mom. I remember sailing with him (on Jim's boat) the last week I lived in Chicago... such an imprint in my mind. Also him taking me to the beach that week. I thought I should pack and he insisted on me joining the crew. I always felt safe with Mike. I always laughed with Mike. I always will remember my friend fondly with a tan, a crinkle in his nose and a smile.

--Krissy

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

I met Mike my first week in the program over 4 years ago and we were fast friends. Between Young Peoples, Clarke's and St. Mike’s, I loved being around him. His wit challenged me. He always said that I had the brains, but I always knew he had the smarts. I loved to listen about his newly made furniture, his day-to-day issues at his beloved company, and I jumped to lay eyes on that wonderful car the night he bought it. He had such vivid hopes and dreams that I felt lucky to hear about anytime they were discussed. I was in awe of his social life and loved to see him in action at parties - whether in the backyard around the vegetables, or on the couches next to the squirrel, or eating his mom’s amazing snacks.

I adored Mike and I’m not sure what life looks like without him. What I do know is that I am going to carry his spirit with me always, and I am going to continue to strive to make him proud of me.

--Kari R.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

The first time I met Mike, I was brand new and cuckoo. He was the secretary of Il. Mas. Monday night, so I thought he was the boss and definitely must have it all together. I got to know him the usual way through fellowship Michael's, Clarke's, etc. and sharing in meetings. He was such a staple my first 3 years.

I was surprised at how many pics I had of him but then on closer examination, many of those pics were big events for me to which he showed up. I, too, found in him a very safe and fun-loving friend. His wry wit was a great signature by which to remember him.
This past Monday, I stepped outside of my comfort zone and went for some more heavy-duty service work. While deciding whether or not to take the chance, I realized, life is very sweet and fragile, so I took the opportunity and did so Mike's honor.
I am sad he's gone.

Sarah A.
Although I didn't know Mike all that long, he made it so easy to be around him. One word: Generous! I met him through other friends and last August he saw me at Hideout Block Party and said hello. We talked about music, what bands we liked, didn't like. From that point forward, every time we'd see each other we had something to talk about. Thus began our friendship.

Last October Bob Dylan was coming to town, but of course I couldn't afford such a big name. Mike and I talked about how amazing and influential Bob Dylan was and I expressed my deep regret at not being able to go. Anyway, shortly after that conversation he called and asked if I wanted to go with him to see Bob Dylan! Of course, newly sober, I thought he was in love with me or something, but I hesitantly accepted the invitation.

On the night of the concert, Mike picked me up and at once I felt safe and comfortable. He was so easy to be around. Such a warm presence. Mike had no expectations, he just wanted to share a great experience. The night was somewhat existential to me. Mike, thank you for facilitating and sharing one of the most amazing musical moments in my life with me. I still carry that ticket around with me a year later.

Thank you for inviting me to fellowship, and encouraging me to be of service, thank you for showing up for me, and thank you for being you. You are missed.

~Sarah Y
What a true example of a gentleman. The first time I got in Mike's car he had to blow in a tube to start it (from his past shenanigans) I was really nervous and very skittish -- at this point I was fresh out of treatment. I was talking a mile a minute as I always do when I'm around a cute boy who is kind and out of nowhere Mike's car started beeping, I was kind of freaked out a bit. When I asked MK what is that noise his response was the following...

"That is the Annalise-O-Meter, it means that you have to stop talking now..." Needless to say it went off again in 4 minutes and I shut up immediately. Mike started laughing so hard he had to pull over. He always found the humor in life and I love love a guy who can make me laugh at the simple things. We tried playing tennis over the summer together because we are both such sports freaks, however we didn't accomplish a single volley because we played at OZ on a beautiful hot summer day at about 9 am and the courts were packed with HOT GUYS and HOT GIRLS for us to check out the entire time! I'm sure we pissed a lot of people off but we laughed the entire time, Mike was actually amazed at how well I could turn my neck to look at a hot guy!!! He provided safety, love and security for a damaged soul and what a gift I was to receive that love from him.


--Annalise
Mike and I were friends for years before I moved to LA in 2005. I had been in LA for about a year and was really into surfing. I flew to Baltimore for Anne and Brooks' wedding and shared a hotel room with Mike and Carolyn (money was tight for me). I talked about surfing the entire weekend. He was super jealous, being t hat he was always into skateboarding and it was his dream to surf.

Fast forward 4 months, I wasn't working, so I had no money. We were on the phone and I said jokingly "I'll give you free surfing lessons in Hawaii if you pick up the expenses." He said that was a great idea. I was in total disbelief. He hung up the phone, made arrangements, called me back and told me the plan. We met in Oahu for Thanksgiving 3 weeks later. That was Nov. of '06. He rented a Jeep Wrangler, paid for the hotel, and caught the first wave that he paddled into, never having surfed before.

I'll never forget the look on his face as he rode the wave toward shore. It was pure confidence but I know he was totally excited in the most boyish way underneath the "coolness" that he was portraying. I also remember at how pissed i was at how easy it was for him. I had been trying to catch a wave for months at that point. He was a natural. That trip was entirely awesome. Whenever I think of Mike, I'll always think of him surfing a wave and smiling. Mike was all about having fun and he was super generous and really loved to laugh. I will really miss him.

--Shayne A.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Mike was a good friend. I remember him when he came into my life. We used to go to young people's together. Have crushes on the same cute AA girls. He was there for me after my first relapse to bring me back into the fold of AA. Mike was instrumental in a few relationship sparks with loves in my life. We sailed together. We skateboarded together. Went and played beach volleyball. He was always available and always a close friend. There are so many memories. It breaks my heart.

I'm glad I got to know him, and share my life with him. I know he is at peace. I will always have a special place in my heart for Mike Kaminski and those who were close and knew him well.

--Ian W.


More pics can be seen at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=70608&id=610277564
I didn't know Mike extremely well but he was a constant presence in the first four years of my sobriety until I moved away from Chicago. What I remember most is his welcoming nature, the way I always felt warmth in his presence. One of my first memories was of attending one of my very first AA parties at his house. I don't even think there was an occasion, but it was that all-important early venture out into the sober social scene. Mike kept me sober that day, as he does today in a different way. I am sad and grieving and I know that he will continue to touch our lives even from the other side. Thank you Mike for being you.


--Emily
This picture was taken at a birthday party for Anne and Annalise at Bucca di Beppo on Clark. I remember it so clearly. It was November of 2002 and I had 6 months under my belt. Surrounded by new friends, I felt the excitement of what was to come.

Mike had gotten me to that point. While so many people were there for me, Mike took me to meetings he knew would keep me coming back. He made sure fellowship was part of the solution, so I'd have no good reason to leave. He made it fun...

I'm not spending too much time asking why this has happened, but instead remembering why I'm here and what my role is now.

In many ways, Mike was doing the stuff I always wanted to do. He used his hands to build furniture, grow vegetables, fix cars. He threw parties for any occasion, planned trips, put himself out there. He took romantic risks.

He was an example of staying in action. But he wasn't perfect or immune to this.
We aren't either.

He led me when I didn't know. And he was a friend. I'll miss him.

--Brooks

The way we remember

Like any good addict, I have always had plans for my own funeral. I want a New Orleans-esque party. But the thing I want the most is for people to tell stories and laugh and remember me (well, I hope).

I've created this blog in an effort to create a common, collective space where friends of Mike K. can share memories, remember stories and be here for one another in a very sad and heartbreaking time.

This is for whatever you want ... if you have pictures of Mike you'd like put on here, you can email me at jocelyngeboy @ sbcglobal dot net. I'd be happy to put them up to share with everyone.

I have all the confidence in the world that Mike would want us to remember him with laughter and good spirits.

Welcome to Memories of Mike ...